Metropolitan Development Commission Meeting – July 5, 2023

The Metropolitan Development Commission (MDC) convened on July 5, 2023, at 1:00 PM with a quorum present. The agenda included seven resolutions (consent calendar), one public hearing on a final tax abatement, two companion public hearings on rezoning and variances, continuance requests, and a no‑appeals docket. Key decisions included approval of a seven‑year property tax abatement for a 170‑acre industrial park, rezoning for a mixed‑use development on West Washington Street, and rezoning for an affordable housing project on College Avenue.

Consent Calendar

The commission considered six items as a group (Resolutions 1–5 and 7). All passed except Resolution 2023‑E020 (declaratory resolution for the County Line Road Economic Development Area), which passed 6‑1 with Commissioner Morerity voting no. The approved items were:

• 2023‑R026: Authorizing DMD to amend an existing legal services contract.
• 2023‑E020: Declaratory resolution and redevelopment area plan for the County Line Road economic development area and allocation area (approved 6‑1).
• Three declaratory resolutions: Near North Mass Economic Development Area, Ingram Allocation Area, and Penn Electric Allocation Area.
• 2023‑P014: Authorizing a professional services agreement with Town Planning and Urban Design Collaborative LLC for an assessment and update of the Regional Center Design Guidelines (not to exceed $400,000, funded from downtown consolidated allocation area fund).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Robin Heldman (resident of 8824 Combs Road, Franklin Township) spoke on Resolution 2023‑A026. She stated she was not opposed to growth but raised concerns about the lack of public transparency during the preliminary hearing on June 21, 2023; the reduction in site size from 208 to 170 acres and from six to five buildings; the timing of abatement benefits relative to job creation; the cost per job; the relationship between the abatement and the proposed TIF district; and traffic improvements (questioning the need for a roundabout based on the existing traffic study). She urged the commission to consider her comments before voting.
• Talesa Lloyd (Near West Community Builder) spoke on the West Washington Street rezoning (2022‑CZN‑847 and 2022‑CVR‑847). She supported the removal of the liquor store component but remained concerned that a future restaurant tenant could seek a liquor license. She noted that the project’s supporters from the WeCare neighborhood no longer live in the area and requested that commitments prohibiting alcohol sales be strictly enforced.

Discussion Items

• 2023‑A026 – Final Economic Revitalization Area Resolution for GPCM County Line Partners LLC: Staff (Ryan Hunt) presented the 170‑acre industrial park project, which includes five buildings and a retail site, projected to create over 360 jobs. The applicant committed $450,000 for inclusive‑incentive requirements (sidewalk extensions and pedestrian crossings on Arlington Avenue). The abatement would be up to seven years, with buildings coming online between 2024 and 2030. Executive Director Rusty Carr clarified that the TIF district (not the abatement) would require additional public hearings, including a future MDC hearing. Commissioner Blackburn asked about greenspace; developer Matt Carlstead noted a 10‑acre wetland area and screening commitments. Commissioner Blackburn also asked about monitoring job creation; staff confirmed clawback provisions in project agreements.
• 2022‑CZN‑847 and 2022‑CVR‑847 – Rezoning and Variances for 2619–2627 West Washington Street: Petitioner David Kingan requested rezoning from C4‑TOD to MU2‑TOD to allow mixed‑use development (four residential units above ground‑floor retail). The original proposal included a liquor store, which was removed after community opposition. The hearing examiner had recommended denial. The petitioner amended commitments: no alcohol sales or liquor license requests; a high‑intensity crosswalk (HAWK crossing); and withdrawal of a variance for parking lot access from Holmes Avenue, instead agreeing to access from the alley (West Maryland Street). Remonstrator Talesa Lloyd voiced ongoing concern about future restaurant alcohol sales. Staff supported the rezoning but preferred alley access for pedestrian safety. The commission discussed the site plan and the number of parking spaces.
• 2023‑CZN‑831 and 2023‑CVR‑831 – Rezoning for 4185–4201 College Avenue: Staff (Kathleen Blackham) presented a city‑owned parcel being rezoned from SU9‑TOD to MU1‑TOD for a mixed‑use affordable housing development. The plan includes 75–90 two‑ and three‑bedroom units (no studios or one‑bedrooms) targeting 30%–120% AMI, plus ground‑floor retail and community space. Two variances were requested: building height up to 70 feet (including elevator shafts/parapets) and a zero‑foot transitional side setback (using an alley as separation). Petitioner Michael McKillop (Midtown Indy) described extensive community outreach and a commitment to an administrative approval process with design review. No remonstrators appeared. The project is expected to apply for 9% Low‑Income Housing Tax Credits. The city will transfer the land via a qualifying corporation transfer to Midtown Indy.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar items (resolutions 1–5 and 7) were approved 7‑0 (with Commissioner Morerity noted as voting no on E020, making that resolution pass 6‑1).
• Resolution 2023‑A026 (final tax abatement for County Line Road industrial park) was approved 7‑1.
• Petitions 2022‑CZN‑847 and 2022‑CVR‑847 (West Washington Street rezoning and variances) were approved 7‑1 after the petitioner withdrew variance #1 (alley access) and confirmed no alcohol sales.
• Petitions 2023‑CZN‑831 and 2023‑CVR‑831 (College Avenue rezoning and variances) were approved 8‑0.
• Continuances: Two petitions (2023‑ZON‑021 and 2023‑ZON‑027) were continued to July 19, 2023 (approved 8‑0). An automatic continuance for petitions 2023‑CZN‑823 and 2023‑CVR‑823 was granted to August 2, 2023.
• No‑appeals docket: 16 items (including park improvements and zoning adjustments) were approved 8‑0.

The meeting adjourned after the final votes.